WAYNE TOWNSHIP — More than two centuries after fighting for American independence, three Revolutionary War veterans buried in Knox County were honored Saturday as members of the Sons of the American Revolution gathered at Wayne Baptist Cemetery.
SAR welcomes individuals who can prove direct lineage to an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence or supported the American cause.
One of the society’s projects is to find and verify the names, service records, grave locations and biographies of Revolutionary War patriots and mark or re-mark their grave sites.
Saturday’s ceremony recognized the existing grave markings for the three patriots.
‘He feared the death of the liberty that he fought for’
Steve Conrad, vice president of the Hocking Valley Chapter of SAR, began the ceremony by explaining the importance of the grave marking.
“One young officer wrote that he did not fear so much his own death as he feared the death of the liberty that he fought for,” Conrad said. “Let this stand as the reason we’re here today to honor these men.”
The ceremony honored James Lewis, Joseph Conger and John Young.
“It’s usually the youth of our nation that fights our battles and sorts out our wars,” Conrad said. “That’s not something to take lightly, and it’s something we should always remember.”
Everyone who served during the Revolutionary War qualifies as a patriot, Conrad said, including Native Americans, Black troops and female supporters.
Members from the Lucy Knox Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution were also present to show their respect.
“This is a very important event to attend,” DAR Chapter Regent Suzy Davidson said. “As always, we are thanking SAR for including us.”
Honor across generations
Frank Boner and Rick Coffing were invited to speak. Both men have relatives buried in the Wayne Baptist Cemetery.
“Nobody here is more connected to the cemetery than me,” Coffing said.
He is a direct descendant of the two men honored, James Lewis and Joseph Conger.
Boner also has members of his family buried in the cemetery and has already established his own gravesite there, next to his grandfather. He encouraged everyone to gather at Wayne Grange following the ceremony to learn more about the men and Knox County’s history.
At the end of the ceremony, a four-man color guard fired a musket volley in honor of the three men.
“What you have just witnessed is the way we honor our nation’s veterans, and it’s a very special thing, and it’s a tribute to their service,” Conrad said.
Remembering the patriots
James Lewis was born Aug. 1747 in Mendham, New Jersey and died on Nov. 18, 1819 in Knox County. He was married to Abigail Douglas and had six children.
Lewis served as an officer in the American Revolution alongside his brother, Edward Lewis Jr, and as a private in the New Jersey Regiment Continental Line.
He accompanied General George Washington during the winter of 1777 at Valley Forge, Pennsylvania.
After moving to Knox County, the Lewis family organized the Wayne Baptist Church in 1810 and were the first members.
Joseph Conger was born Dec. 11, 1748 in Hanover, New Jersey and died in 1820 in Fredericktown. Conger married twice and had six children.
Conger served as a private in Colonel Van Cortland’s Battalion, New Jersey Militia, during the Revolutionary War.
John Young was born Nov. 30, 1750 in Rockaway, New Jersey and died on Feb. 16, 1826 in Knox County.
Young served as a private in Captain Josiah Hall’s Company, Eastern Battalion, New Jersey Militia and as a second corporal in the New Jersey Regiment Continental Line.
Young’s son, Nathaniel Mitchell Young, was the first permanent settler in Knox County, just up the road from the cemetery.
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